Vacuum cleaner



March 25, 1952 G. H. CRANMER 2,590,235

VACUUM CLEANER Original Filed Sept. 22, 1945 3 Shets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

MAM

M ATTORNEY.

March 25, 1952 G, H. CRANMER 2,590,235

VACUUM CLEANER Original Filed Sept, 22, @945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

BY iW MA 'rromvsy March 25, 1952 e. H. CRANMER 2,590,235

VACUUM CLEANER Original Filed Sept. 22, 1945 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 25, 1952 VACUUM CLEANER George H. Cranmer, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Electrolux Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware 1 Original application September 22, 1945, Serial No. 618,022, now Patent No. 2,564,467, dated August 14, 1951. Divided and this application November 24, 1950, Serial No. 197,443

6 Claims.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 618,022 filed September 22, 1945 (now Patent 2,564,467 dated August 14, 1951), and relates back thereto for all common subject matter.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved seal for the inlet opening of a vacuum cleaner dust bag, and more particularly to provide a seal of this type for use with dust bags which are intended to be thrown away when filled.

One of the advantages of the seal in accordance with my invention is that it offers no resistance whatsoever to the passage of dirt-laden air into the bag during use.

Another advantage is that, upon removal of the bag from the vacuum cleaner, the seal auto: matically closes the inlet opening without interference from the dust and dirt contained in the bag.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following descrip: tion considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which;

Fig. 1 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the dust container shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the inside of a cover member forming part of the cleaner shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a front view showing an alternative form 01 dust container which may be used with the cleaner shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but with a valve member in open position.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, reference character I0 designates the casing of a tank type vacuum cleaner. The casing I0 is provided at one end with a cap 60 having an exhaust opening 62. A motor fan unit 98 is fixed within the casing by means of a suitable support I00 which provides an air tight seal between the casing and the m0- tor fan unit.

A cylindrical member I30 is arranged to extend between the fan housing I32 and the casing II) with its right end bearing against and being centered by the support I00. The opposite end of this cylindrical member is formed with an inwardly extending flange I34 which bounds an opening which is preferably larger than the inlet to the fan housing. A compression spring I36 has one end secured to flange I34 in. any suitable manner, while the other end of the spring is secured to an annular disc I38. This disc is connected by spaced members I40 to another disc I42 which is secured to a ring I44. The ring is secured within the open end of a cylinder I46, the outer diameter of this cylinder being slightly less than the inner diameter of casing I0 so that the former may easily slide within the latter. The length of the cylinder should be sufilcient to prevent it from tilting and binding within the casing. If desired a wire mesh screen or the like I48 may be carried by the annular disc I42 and a similar screen I50, but preferably of finer mesh may be carried by the disc I38. A ring I5I is removably secured in the left end of casing Ill and acts as a stop for cylinder I45 when the latter is moved to the left by spring I36.

A lever I52 is pivotally mounted on a suitable bracket 454 extending outwardly from one side of the casing I0. One end of the lever is formed with a latch I56 which extends through an opening formed in the side of easing Ill. The right edge of latch I56 is normal to the casing wall while the end edge of the latch is beveled. A compression spring I 58 is disposed between the lever I52 and the casing so as to tend to pivot the lever in counterclockwise direction to thus move the latch I56 into the casing. The opposite end of the lever is provided wtih a manually engageable portion such as the button I50. This end of the lever overlies one en of a lever N52 which is pivoted on a suitable bracket I64. A compression spring I is disposed between the side of the casing and lever I62, while the opposite end of this lever is provided with a latch I68 which serves to retain a front end cover I10 in closed position. A ring I12 is secured to the outside of easing I0 and the cover I10 is pivotally connected to this ring by means of a hinge I14. Included in the hinge structure is a spring I76 which tends to pivot the cover to open position. A cover plate H1 is provide for concealing the major portions of levers I52 and I62.

The construction of the inner face of the cover IIll is shown more in detail in Figs. 4 and 5. As there shown, the cover is formed with an annular ring I18 at its periphery and with a tubular projection I80 extending inwardly from the hose coupling I82. A small projection I84 is provided a short distance radially outwardly from the tubular projection I80. Opposite the hinge I14 the outer face of the cover is formed with a recess I36 which is engaged by the latch I63.

The dust container 20 includes a bag portion 22, preferably of porous paper, secured to a circular disc 24, the outer diameter of which is such that it will be received in an annular seat formed which extends a similar formed in the annular seat of ring H2.

in the ring I12 and clamped in place by the annular projection I18 on the cover I'll] when the latter is closed. The disc 24 is formed with a central aperture 30 into which the tubular extension I80 extends.

The arrangement for closing the opening 3% when the bag is to be ejected from the cleaner is shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3. Suitably secured to the outer face of the disc 24 is a pair of parallel guide rails I83. A generally rectangular plate ISO is slidably supported by the guide rails and is formed with an aperture I92 therethrough at least as large, and preferably a little larger, than the-aperture 353 in the disc 2%. Plate I80 is provided with projections I94, while similar projections l t extend upwardly from the guide rails I88. A rubber band or the like I98 is looped around the projections i9d 'and I96 and consequently tends to move l th ate I90 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2. Prior to the introduction of the bag into the casing the plateitii is retained in the position shown in Fig, 2 by means of a projection 25G struck up from the material of the disc 24. This proje'ctionis so positioned as to be contacted by the projection I8 3 on the front cover when the latter is closed so as'to force the projection 2% out of the path of travel of the plate 59%. In order to' assure that the dust container will be placed in the casing. in the proper position so that these two projections will be in alignment, the disc 2c is preferably formed with a notch 252 into shaped projection The distance from the left end edge of the plate I59 to the aperture I92 is greater than the diameter of theaperture 36 in the disc 24 so that, when the plate I96 is moved to the right under the action of the rubber band I93 the aperture 3-1 will be completely closed.

The above described device operates as follows:

After a dust'container has been ejected from i the cleaner in a'manner to be described hereinafter, the spring I35 has moved the cylinder I 36 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, until the left end of the cylinder strikes the internal ring I5! at the end of the casing Iii. When it is v desired to insert a new dust container, the operator most conveniently stands the cleaner on end and presses; against the screen I48'so as to force As soon this position. Thereafter, the dust container 29 isintroduced into the open end of the casing and the notch 262 in the periphery of the disc 21: is lined up with the corresponding projection on the ring I12. Thereupon, the cover I19 is pivoted to closed position. During closure of the cover; the edge thereof strikes the beveled surface of the latch 58 and pivots the arm I62 in counter-clockwise direction so that the latch may snap into the recess I86 in the cover to hold the cover closed. However, this pivoting of the lever I62 does not cause any pivoting of the lever I52 and hence, the cylinder I45 is not released. When the cover is closed the projection I8 1 thereon strikes the projection 200 on the disc fl-l4 so as to force the projection 299 out of the ff path'of travel of the valve plate I90. However, the platecannot be moved to closed position by 4 the rubber band I98 because the tubular extension Iiiil on the front end cover extends through the'aperture I92 in the valve plate, and also because the projection I84 on the cover is now located in the path of travel of the plate.

During cleaning, dust-laden air is drawn in through the hose coupling :82 and passes through the tubular extension I98 to the interior of the dust container 29. The air passes through the porous material of the bag portion 22 to the inlet of the fan and is finally discharged through the exhaust opening 62, the dust being retained in the dust container.

When it is desired to remove the bag the motor is shut ofi and pressure is applied to the button I60. This causes the lever I52 to pivot in a clockwise direction, which in turn causes the lever I62 to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction. The relative lengths of the lever arms and the location of their pivot points are such that the latch I63 releases the cover HI] before the latch E56 releases the cylinder Hi6. As soon as the cover is released, the spring I75 pivots it to open position. When the tubular projection I80 has been withdrawn from the'opening I32 in the valve plate ice and the projection I84 has been moved out of the path of travel of this plate by the opening of the cover, the rubber band I98 quickly moves the plate to the right as viewed in Fig. 2, so as toseal the aperture 30 in the disc 24. An instant after the cover is opened the latch I 56 releases the cylinder I 15, whereupon the latter is moved suddenly to the left by'the energy stored in the compressed spring I35 so as to force the sealed dust container out of casing 99.

If desired, the guide rails 88 and the valve disc I98 may be madeof metal, but due to the fact that it is necessary for this valve tooperate only once, these parts may be made of cardboard or any other relatively cheap and fairly stiff material so as to'maintain the cost of the disposable dust container at a minimum.

If it is desired to open the' cover I10 without having the bag ejected, this may be done by inserting a finger into the recess I'fifiiand exerting force against the latch I68 to'pivot the lever I62 counterclockwise. This does not cause pivoting of the lever I52 and hence the cylinder I46 is not released.

In Figs. 6 and 7 there is shown a dust container, suitable for use in the vacuum cleaner illustrated in Fig. 2, and differing from the container shown in Figs. 2 and 3 in the construction of the valve forclcsing the inlet 32 to the container. This dust container includes a circular disc Mpreferably made of cardboard and formed with a centrally located aperture 39. Fixed to the front of the disc 24 by means of rivets or the like 204, or by adhesive, is a valve guide member 206 which is spaced from the disc by the thickness of a flat member 283. A valve plate 2H! is pivotally :mounted on the disc 2 at M2 and has the configuration best illustrated in Fig. '7 The thickness of the plate 2:2 is preferably slightlyless than that of the member 288 so that the valve plate may movewithout binding between the disc 24 and the guide 255. A spring member, such as the rubber band 2M, is connected between the pivotal valve plate and the fixed guide imernber, or any other fixed point on thedisc 24, and tends to pivot the plate in clockwise direction from the open position shown in Fig '7 tothejclosedposition illustratedin Fig. 6 In the latter position the edges 2I6 andZIB of the" valve plate abut against the edges of the member 208 so as to limit movement of the plate under the action of the rubber band.

A displaceable abutment 220, which may be similar to the projection or abutment 200 shown in Fig. 2, is struck up from the surface of the disc 24 and serves to retain the valve plate in open position prior to placing the dust container in the vacuum cleaner. As was described in connection with Figs. 2 through 5, when the front end cover I is closed, a projection I84 thereon strikes the struck up projection 220 and forces it down flush with the surface of the disc 24. The valve plate 2l2 is still retained in open position, however, by its striking either the tubular extension I80 or the projection I84 on the front end cover as long as the cover remains closed. When the cover is opened, the valve plate is free to pivot clockwise under the action of the rubber band and consequently closes the aperture 20. It will be noted that the lower end of the valve member passes under the lower end of the guide 206 and hence is prevented from accidentally bending away from the disc 24.

If desired, the valve plate may be provided with a finger hole 222 whereby it may be initially pivoted to the open position. However, this will ordinarily be done at the time the bag is manufactured and the valve plate will remain open prior to its introduction into the cleaner and during the use of the container in the cleaner and will be closed only when the front cover is opened. Particularly in view of the fact that normally this valve has to operate only once, all of the parts may be made of cardboard or other relatively cheap material.

This bag is used in the cleaner shown in Fig. l in the same manner as is the bag illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, and therefore a detailed description of the operation of the cleaner in conjunction with this bag is unnecessary.

While I have shown and described several more or less specific embodiments of my invention it is to be understood thatthis has been done for purposes of illustration only, and that the spirit or scope of my invention is not to be limited but is to be determined from the appended claims. Furthermore, while I have shown my invention as embodied in a vacuum cleaner having means for ejecting the dust bag therefrom, it is clear that it could be used as well in an ordinary vacuum cleaner not having this ejection feature.

What I claim is:

1. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing having an opening, a cover for closing said opening, a dust bag insertable into and removable from saidcontainer through said opening, means for producing flow of air through said casing and through the dust bag therein, said dust bag having an aperture through which the air enters the bag, avalve member on said bag for closing said aperture, means biasing said valve member towards closed position, a displaceable abutment on said bag for holding said valve member in open position, and means on said cover for displacing said abutment out of valve holding position when the cover is closed and for holding said valve member open until the cover is opened.

2. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing having an opening, a cover for closing said opening, a dust bag insertable into and removable from said container through said opening, means for producing flow of air through said casing and through the dust bag therein, said dust bag having an aperture through which the air enters the bag, a valve plate pivotally mounted on said bag for closing said aperture, resilient means bias-' ing said valve plate towards closed position, a displaceable abutment on said bag for holding said valve plate in open position, and a projection on said cover for displacing said abutment out of valve holding position when the cover is closed and for holding said valve plate open until the cover is opened.

3. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing having an opening, a cover for closing said opening, a dust bag insertable into and removable from said container through said opening, means for producing fiow of air through said casing and through the dust bag therein, said dust bag including a substantially fiat disc across the mouth of the bag formed with an aperture through which air enters the bag, a pair of guide rails on said disc disposed on either side of said aperture, a valve plate slidably supported by said rails for closing said aperture, resilient means for biasing said valve plate towards closed position, a displaceable abutment on said disc for holding said valve plate in open position, and a projection on said cover for displacing said abutment when the cover is closed and for holding said valve plate in open position until the cover is opened.

4. A dust separating and containing member for a vacuum cleaner including, a disc formed with an inlet opening, a bag of filter material secured to said disc, a valve member on said disc for closing said opening, means for biasing said valve towards closed position, and a displaceable tab struck out of said disc for retaining said valve member in open position.

5. A dust separating and containing member for a vacuum cleaner including, a disc formed with an inlet opening, a bag of filter material secured to said disc, a pair of guide rails on said disc disposed on either side of said opening, a valve plate slidably supported by said rails for closing said opening, resilient means for biasing said valve plate towards closed position, and a displaceable abutment on said disc for retaining said valve plate in open position.

6. A dust separating and containing member for a vacuum cleaner including, a disc formed with an inlet opening, a bag of filter material secured to said disc, a valve plate pivotally mounted on said disc for closing said opening, resilient means for biasing said valve plate towards closed position, and a displaceable tab struck out of said disc for retaining said valve plate in open position.

GEORGE H. CRANMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,233,408 Shanahan July 17, 1917 1,402,559 Wright Jan. 2, 1922 1,797,409 Farmer Mar. 24, 1931 2,022,249 Lofgren Nov. 26, 1935 2,070,674 Muentener Feb. 16, 1937 2,218,169 Hudson Oct. 15, 1940 2,290,597 Leathers July 21, 1942 2,325,820 White Aug. 3, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 469,379 Great Britain July 23, 1937 515,927 Germany Oct. 31, 1929 

